Officially certified proof of German language proficiency at the advanced level, i.e. completed level C 1. Prior to enrolment, you have to pass the DSH-2 exam or provide a certified copy of the DSH-2 exam (or equivalent) that you have passed. JGU Mainz offers German preparatory courses; please see the information provided by the International Admission Office. (https://www.studying.uni-mainz.de/german-language-requirements/)

A Bachelor's degree with specialization in Egyptology and/or Ancient Near Eastern Studies or a similar course of study. Please see the specific prerequisites for the participating disciplines below.

The subject:

During the course of study for the degree of Master of Arts in Egyptology/Ancient Near Eastern Studies, you will acquire competence in these areas:

A deepened knowledge of the earliest forms of cultures outside of Europe, which have had an impact on our occidental culture;

Philological, archaeological, cultural and historical methods;

The ability to conduct autonomous research, mastery of professional techniques of presentation and appropriate writing skills, as well as relevant professional experience.

The course of study, which focuses very strongly on research, enables you to examine relevant sources by means of the participating disciplines with special regard to the intercultural environment.
From the participating disciplines of Egyptology, Ancient Near Eastern Archaeology and Languages of the Ancient Near East, you are required to choose one specialisation:

Egyptology

Students of Egyptology deepen their knowledge of all aspects and spheres of the ancient Egyptian culture from its origin in the 4th Millennium BCE until its decline in the 7th century CE. This includes different writing systems (hieroglyphs and handwritings), stages of language development (Old Egyptian, Middle Egyptian, Late Egyptian, Demotic, Coptic and/or Ptolemaic), literature, history, religion, architecture, art, economy, medicine, mathematics, music, technology and the analysis of a large variety of the material legacy. You will extend your skills in Middle Egyptian (Late Egyptian, Coptic and Demotic respectively) during philological seminars and acquire a third or fourth of the above-mentioned stages of the Egyptian language.

Special prerequisites:

Good knowledge of the cultures of Ancient Egypt (inter alia: history, religion, architecture, art and society). Thorough knowledge of the Middle Egyptian language and hieroglyphic writing system. Good knowledge of a second stage of the Egyptian language (Old Egyptian, Late Egyptian, Demotic, Coptic or Ptolemaic).

Ancient Near Eastern Archaeology

The subject of Ancient Near Eastern Archaeology provides you with an in-depth knowledge of the material heritage of the Ancient Near East, including Mesopotamia (Iraq), Iran, Asia Minor, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan. The period of research spans the period from the earliest Neolithic settlements in the 10th Millennium BCE to the end in the 1st Millennium BCE. Besides art and archaeology, central topics of this core area are history, religion, and the economy and society of the Ancient Near East. Students of Ancient Near Eastern Archaeology gain deeper knowledge of the Akkadian language.

Special prerequisites:

Good knowledge of the archaeology, art, history, religion, economics and society of the Ancient Near East (Mesopotamia, Iran, Asia Minor, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan). Knowledge of the Akkadian language.

Languages of the Ancient Near East

Languages of the Ancient Near East is primarily concerned with the investigation of cuneiform literature, i.e. the large diversity of documents preserved in various languages (e.g. Sumerian, Babylonian, Assyrian, Hittite, Hurrian) of the Ancient Near East from the end of the 4th Millennium BCE until the beginning of the Common Era. Based on literary, juridical-administrative, scientific and magical-religious texts, written down mainly on clay tablets, you will gain a broad knowledge of the cultures of the Ancient Near East. You will extend your skills in Akkadian and a chosen second language and acquire a third or fourth of the above-mentioned Ancient Near Eastern languages.

Special prerequisites:

Basic knowledge of the cultures of the Ancient Near East (inter alia: history, religion, architecture, art and society). Thorough knowledge of the Akkadian language and cuneiform script. Good knowledge of a second language or stage of language (Sumerian, Hittite, Hurrian, Babylonian, Assyrian).

The study program:

The standard period of study is four semesters (two years). During this time, it is possible to spend a semester abroad (for example within ERASMUS) or at another German University (within the PONS project).

The course of study for a Master’s degree also comprises research-focused modules and colloquia, which will increase your awareness of recent studies in the field, as well as the methodological knowledge. In a practical module, you will participate in excursions and internships and learn about relevant methods in working environments, such as museums, excavations, special exhibitions and media. Additionally, you will have to compile 15 credit points through interdisciplinary studies. You will conclude your course of study with a Master's thesis, in which you are obliged to prove your ability to conduct autonomous scientific research. If the supervisors of the thesis consent, it is possible to submit a Master thesis in English, but we expect you to speak and understand German in order to participate in the study program. The entire course of study conveys different scientific methods and soft skills in the presentation of scientific matters. Furthermore, a wide range of on-site research activities gives an insight into a professional career.

Study office:

If you have any questions concerning the content of the Master’s degree in Egyptology/Ancient Near Eastern Studies, or if you wish to make a personal appointment, please do not hesitate to contact our student advisory service. They would love to help you!